Ventilated insole



April 25, 1944. M MARGQLlN 2,347,207

VVENTILATED INSOLEy l Filed Nov. 22, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet' 1 ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 25, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT loFElcE VEN TILATED INSOLE Meyer Margoln, Elgin, Ill.

Application November 22, 1940, Serial No. 366,574

2 Claims. (Cl, 36-3) My invention relates to` a novel insole con-V struction and more particularly my invention relates to an insole with a resilient insert secured therein, the resilient insert being of such form as to provide increased resilience, forced breathing and at the same time being characterized by lightness of weight.

In my prior Patents Nos. 2,153,021, 2,207,632 and 2,307,416 and my applications Ser. No.257.351 and Ser. No. 306,778, I have set forth certain constructions in which I secure a resilient insert to an insole having an opening, the insert carrying a lap which extends over and is secured` to that portion of the insole which is adjacent the opening therein. As pointed out in the above applications and patents, it is `the purpose of my construction to provide for forced breathing effects within the shoe, e. g. it is desired that an air pumping action be provided by the insert construction so that air is forced into the foot area of the shoe. It is further desirable that the insert be such as to provide increased resilience for the ball of the foot to provide for increased comfort.

I have found that Weight is a factor of great importance in these constructions and according to the invention which I shall presently describe, I have succeeded in obtaining the desirable results of resilience, forced breathing effects and at the same time I have achieved a lightness of weight hitherto unobtainable in inserts`.hav ing these characteristics-- .l

According to the present invention I provide an insert formed of resilient material such as rubber, either in the form of expanded closed cell rubber or expanded open celled rubber or sponge rubber. I preferablyl mold this resilient insert in such form that it has a thin peripheral lap adapted yto extend over and be secured to a portion of the insole adjacent the opening in which the insert is adapted to be fitted, and I so mol'd the thicker body portion of the insert that it is in the form of a series of hexagonal cavities generally resembling a honeycomb in such form that the main body of the insert is, in effect, a multiplicity of integrally formed cavities adapted to be compressed in the act of Walking so that air is forced therefrom through a suitable opening which leads from such cavities into the foot area of the shoe which, of course, lies directly above the insole. This construction is distinguished by the fact that there is a minimum of solid material and a maximum of resilience and forced breathing structure in this particular insert formation.. The

as the operation and function of this novel insert construction Will'be more apparentl from the specic description of my invention which is set forth hereinafter.

According to a modified form of my invention I may also provide an insert characterized by the same general lap construction and resilient material, but in the modified form of my invention the openings in the insert are substantially round and circular in shape and accordingly the insert is not as lightas the construction above described. However, I employ as many closely bordering circular openings as possible and although I do not achieve the extreme lightness of the honeycomb construction described above, nevertheless this insert is stronger becauseA of the greater amount of rubber between the various cells therein, and where extreme lightness is not an absolute factor asin heavy sport shoes and mens shoes, this construction has certain advantages because of its inherently stronger nature.

The circular cavities result in forced breathing and increased resilience for the insert, thus carrying out the functions of my novel construction.

It is the object of my invention to provide a novel resilient insert for an insert-insole construction for increased foot comfort.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a novel insert for an insole, the insert being characterized by a cavity construction on the underside thereof which is adapted to provide incharacteristics and physical construction as Well creased resilience and maximum forced breathing effects with a minimum of weight.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a novel insert for an insole, the insert having a thin peripherally extending lap and a thicker central portion, the thicker central portion comprising a multiplicity of adjacent and bordering polygonal cavities adapted to be compressed in walking by the ball of the foot. l

It is a further object of my invention to provide a novel resilient insert comprising a thin peripherally extending lap adapted to be secured to an insole and a thicker central portion, the thicker central portion comprising a multiplicity of adjacent polygonal cavities which are connected to the footinteror by perforations extending through the central portion of the insert.

It is a further 'object of my invention to provide a novel resilient insert, the thicker central portion of. which is made up of a multiplicity of substantially'circular cavities Which lie adjacent one another. i 4

Itis a' further object of my invention to provide a novel `resilient insert. the thicker central tom portion of the thicker central area and having openings leading to the top of the insert.

It is a further object of my invention to pro-- vide a resilient insert having a thick central portion formed as above described, the thick central portion extending beyond the insole.

It is a further -object of my invention to pro.

vide a resilient insert having a thick central portion formed as above described, the thick central portion extending beyond the insole, and being thicker than the combined thickness ofv the insole and the thin extending lap portion of the insert.

1t is a further object of my `inven-tionto provide a resilient insert havingv a thick central Il, each of the cavities bordering upon one another, the walls l1 forming in each case a wall for a multiplicity of cavities. The thin Walls, of course, may be integrally formed with the entire insert by a molding operation and the walls are characterized by a resilience so that they may be compressed by the weight of the body transmitted through the foot in Walking. An opening I8 leads from the cavity I6 through the middle portion of `the insert so that air which is compressed Within the cavity IS during the act of Walking may be forced up into the -ih-terior o-f the shoe to provide foot comfort.

, -It is believed that it will be apparent that by reason of the physical construction here shownthat a maximum of resilience and a maxiportion formed as above described, the thicker v central portion being rounded and with the greatest thickness in .the Acentral ,portion thereof to -provide a ball cushion support or rounded shoe bottom effect.

These andfurther objects of my present Vinvention. will become'apparent from'a consideration of the drawings i'taken in connectionvvith the description vvhich here follows.

Figure 1 '-is a bottom view of an insole and the resilient insert of my invention which is securedy within an opening inthe insole.

Figure 2 is a cross section Vtakenalong the line 2-'2 ci Figure 1.

"Figure, 3 is across section taken along` the line -fiofFigurel. l v y l Figure fi'is across section of amodied form of my invention "which is .characterized by the same honeycomb construction as thatshown in Figure 1, the distinction lying in the rounded general shape given tothe thicker central portion of the insert. l v

Figure 5` is a crossse'ction'across the Amodified form ofymyinvention shown-Hin Figure 4.

Figure 6 -is Aa bottom view.of an insole carrying -anY insert which is va still further :modied form of my invention. s Figure 7 isla crossisection, line 'l-lof Figure-6. f

Figure' 8 is-a cross-section taken along-.the

taken along lthe line B-LS-of Figure 6.

Figure9- is a top view-of `aymiddsle sole vof my invention, the middle sole 'being broken away to show two differentstructuraldesigns Figure 10 is a bottom View of the middle sole of my invention.

Figure 11 is ka cross sectionlalong the line li-l I ofFigure 9. Figure i12-isa-perspectivezofa small 4broken away section of the middle-'sole ofmy invention.

Figure 13 is a top view of'a portion of a modiiedform ofthe middle sole-'of my invention.

Figureqlri isabottom View of the 'middle sole shown in Figure 13, Y

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, in- Figure v1 I shovv an insole I0 whichl has an .opening in thecentral portion thereof in which opening is disposed'a .resilient insertgenerally characterized "as V'II, 'which has a thin peripheral vlap portion :shown inv dotted line I2 which lap portion extendsover the adjacent portion lof {thein'sole l0 and is"'s'ecured` thereto by theistit'ching I3 and(W'shownfin'dotted line. The 'thicker Central portion 'of theinsert/"is,` Characterized by a multiplicity of polygonal" 'cavities 'It which'in 'the specific"exampleV 'here 'shown nmum of forced breathing effects may be obtained, vIn "the act of'walking and the consequent flexing of the resilient insert the multiplicity of thin rubber walls l1 which characterize the underside of the resilient 'insert -areexedand hence the respective cavities'l' are ultimately compressed andexpanded causing a general vow of air up throughthe-openings Iwhichprovide for communication between l'the cavities and the shoe interior. YBy reason of the fact that each ofthe walls of the cavities acts as awall fora multiplicity of cavities and,in-genera1,'because there is'a minimum of solid structure the 'insert is characterizedby exceedingly lightweight, particularly in view of-thefthickness and bulk thereof* and theforceclbreathing"effects obtained by the construction.

*Although I have' shownl the cavity Itl as being formed witha hexagonalrwaliI-T it is tobe-un derstoo'd that it 4is Vwithin the scope ofmy invention lto vemploy cavities of other shapes, including polygonal walledfcavities'and'it is yof particular-importance to notethat the respective cavitiesv t6i border directly upon one another; utilizing a single thin'wall yfor vthe cavities so that anvr insert 'of decreased weight may'be'obtained. 1n 1*"igures2land S'Ishow -a resilient insert'of my invention in which the thick central portion issli'ghtly thicker than-'and extends `slightly beyond'thefinsole Hl.

`jngthis form Vofl myinventionMit-"Will also Vbe notedT that thet'hicker centralportionisf of greater"A thickness than the combined thickness of the lapfl2a`nd the insole 1U. By an examination of Figures 2 `and 3 itwill' be 'noted that in this form of my invention the thiclrcentralportion of the insert, although extending 'beyond' the Vinsole I 0 is substantiallyflat. A

'In-"Figures*4"an`d "5 Ishow'amodied form `of my invention inyvhicharesilientinsert' 2 El' is-securedwithin an' opening inan insole '2 I 'by means `of`av 1ap"22 'which is'se'cure'dto 'theinsole-Zl by lines of stitchingZS an'di24. `The cavitiesZB which are polygonal' in'shape' -similarlto those Vshown inFigure I communicatewith' the interiorf the shoe bymeans of' theopenings-such as2'l, YIt will be'v noted thatthelower curvature oflthe insert which 'I' haveindicated `as"23 isgenerally domed,v the" central portion thereof being Vthicker than' fthe peripherayportions.' This `is .particularly appareritV from-a" c'onsideration of Figure 5. In this case' also the'fth'icker' central portion of the insert is ofgreater'thi'ckness than the insole and in' the (particular example' here shown, the centralpo'rtion of 'the'insert is of greater thicknessr than the combined "thickness .of the lap. 22 'and' the uinso'le2l. A'By means of lthisconstructin Ibbtain a rounded 'sho'l bottom effect which isdes'i'rable 'in`wo`rn'ens'shoes and I 'also may obtain by this domed construction a ball cushionv the resilient insert any possible discomfort at support which is a value even in mens shoes.

Referring now to Figure 6 I show a modified form of my invention comprising a resilient insert 33 secured within an insole 3l, the resilient insert here being characterized by a multiplicity of adjacent cavities 32 and 33 positioned on the underside of the insert and havingv bosses such as 34 and 35. Openings 36 are provided for the passage of air to the interior of the shoe from the cavities 32 and 33 which are adapted to be compressed by the weight of the foot thereon.

I may additionally provide in this insert grooves 40 having openings 4I which lead from these grooves to the upper portion of the insert and I may also provide grooves 42 which connect the cavities 43 and 44, By the combination of the grooves and cavities I decrease the weight of the insertvand at the same time I obtain the forced breathing effects by the flexure of the grooves and cavities and the compression thereof during avoiding the increase of weight of the insolev which, of course, adds to the weight of the shoe.

Although I have set forth a specific description of the particular construction which I employ, it will be understood that certain variations may be made therein coming within the spirit of my invention and I intend to include such variations as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

It is a particular feature of my invention that I may employ an increased number of forced breathing cavities while at the same time I obtain increased resilience land decreased weight.

In other words the novel construction aiords a combination of desirable properties hitherto unobtained in this art. The polygonal construction shown in Figure 1 is of particular importance because of the fact that the polygonal walls there shown are constantly iiexed during the walking and hence the polygonal cavities are constantly compressed and decompressed to obtain the desired forced breathing effects.

The flexure in one area is generally communicated to other areas causing a general flexing of the cavities and hence forced breathing throughout the insert.

A particular feature of my invention as presently set forth is that I employ a resilient insert which is substantially entirely made up of cavities which account for the resilience and forced breathing effects I desire. The cavities are preferably adjacent `and bordering on one another so as to employ common walls for the cavities as is shown in Figure 1, and in that modified form of my invention as shown in Figure 6, the cavities which are round are preferably positioned so close to one another that they are also substantially common walls. Although, as pointed out, if lightness is not the feature particularly desired, the cavities may be slightly spaced from one another in this construction of Figure 6.

The formations shown particularly in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 represent another feature of my invention in that the resilient insert is of greater thickness than the insole and has a thickness that extends beyond the width of the insole on each side. Thus, in use, when the foot compresses that line where the insert meets the insole -is eliminated. It is to be understood that the insole lIII and 2| respectively as shown in Figures 2 and 4, is generally formed of a relatively non-i resilient material, and if the resilient insert I'I did not extend beyond the thickness of the in sole, the foot would feel the `joint between the insole and the insert.

Further, I have found in inserts of this type that by extending the thickness of the thick central portion of the insert beyond the surf rounding insole on each side thereof that the stitching which in Figure 2 is denoted as I3 and I4 is subjected to less stress and strain and hence has a longer life. This is because the flexure between the insert and insole is diminished, the resilient insert absorbing a greater portion of the load imparted by the foot bearing thereon. If the resilient insert I1 did not extend below the plane of the insole on the lower side thereof, the compression of the resilient insert Il by the foot would exert a strong pull on the line of stitching I3 or I4, particularly stitching I4, with the likelihood that this line of stitching would be the weakest point in this structure.

Although I have set forth my invention in connection with the use of the structure shown as a resilient insert for the forepart of the insole, it is to be understood that it is within the scope of my invention to extend this resilient insert substantially the length of the insole, the insole being cut out for such modification both in the forepart, heel and middle portion. Thus I can employ an insert extending substantially from toe to heel, an opening extending substantially throughout the length of said insole.

It is also Within the purview of my invention to employ as a modified form, the resilient insert generally denoted as II in Figure 1, such insert being substantially of the length and size of the ordinary insole, the desired edge stiness or edge strength in such modified form being imparted thereto by means of an edge binding such as is set forth in my application Serial No. 344,414

which has matured into Pat. No. 2,319,818.

In Figure 9 I show a middle sole generally denoted as 55 which comprises a multiplicity of cavities 5I which have the walls 52 and perforations 53. The walls 52 of the respective cavities act as walls for adjacent cavities as will be noted from an examination of this drawing. By means of this construction a middle sole of extreme lightness is obtained which is characterized by increased resilience and increased forced breathing effects. This is because the iiexing and compression of the walls 52 is communicated to two cavities and at the same time communicated to adjacent walls causing flexing and compression of such walls and adjacent cavities.

In the lower part of the drawing which is broken away I show a modified structural design in which the cavities 55 are staggered with respect to one another, the walls 5S and 51, however, still taking the form of common walls for adjacent cavities.

In Figure 10 I show the reverse side of the middle sole shown in Figure 9. The structure will be more clearly apparent from a consideration of Figure 11 in which I show the middle sole 50, positioned between an insole 65 and the outsole G'I, having perforations 6B to permit the iiow of air from the cavities 5I and 6U. The middle sole 50 is positioned between the inner sole 65 and the outsole 61. The relative position of the upper -58 in the shoe lconstruction is illustrated. From -Figure 11 it Will -bef'apparent that upon the flexing'gof the middle sole during the :act of walking, the respective cavities 5| and -60 will be alternately compressed and decompressed causing the I low of air therefrom and the tension and stresses-.on the respective Walls `52 and 6l of the cavities will be transmitted to adjacent walls and adjacent cavities.

In Figure 12 I sho-W a section of the middle sole to more clearly illustrate the structure thereof, and like numbers here :correspond to like numbers in Figures 9, 10 and 11.

In Figures 13 and 14 I show cavities li) made up of hexagonal Walls 1I and .having perforations 'I2 located in such cavities to provide the communication of airfrom the cavities to the shoe interior. In the reverse side of the middle sole shown'in Figure 14 I show cavities 'l1 having-walls 'I8 and perforations or openings T2 extending therethrough.

According to the constructions here shown, therefore, I have set forth certain middle sole and insole constructions characterized by extreme lightness in Weight and possessed of increased resilience and forced breathing eiect for foot comfort. A minimum of solid material is used with a `maximum of resilience and breathing spaces, and means are provided for causingytransmission-of the stresses in the respective cavity Walls throughout the shoe insole land middle sole.

.I-claim:

l. In .combination an insole and a resilient insert/said insert comprising a thick central portion and av peripheral lap extending over said insole, and means for securing said lap to said insole, :said insert having'cavities on its underside, adjacent cavities having relatively thin common Walls, said cavities being polygonal in shape, said VWalls comprising resilient material, and openings leading from .said cavities .to the upper side of said insert, said thick central portion'extending beyond the plane of said insole.

2. Incombination an insole and a resilient insert, said insert comprising a thick central portion and a peripheral lap extending over said insolefand means for securing said lap to said insole, .said insert having cavities on its underside, adjacent cavities having common Walls, said cavities being polygonal in shape, said Walls comprising resilient rubber like material, and openings leading from said cavities to the upper side of said insert, said thick central portion extending'beyond the plane of said insole, said central portion having its greatest thickness at substantially its center.

MEYER MARGOLIN. 

